Introduction
Your privacy is very important to me and you can be confident that your personal information will be kept safe and secure, and will only be used for the purpose that it was given to me. I adhere to current data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU/2016/679), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003.
‘Data Controller’ is the term used to describe the person/organisation that collects and stores and has responsibility for people’s personal data. In this instance the data controller is me, Jo Davies.
I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
My details are – Jo Davies, Greenfield Bungalow/Greenfield Therapy Rooms, Gordon Road, Canterbury. CT1 3PN.
07307 882078
jodaviescounsellor@gmail.com
My Lawful Basis For Holding And Using Your Personal Information
The GDPR states that I must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. There are different lawful bases depending on the stage at which I am processing your data. I have explained these below.
If you have had therapy with me and it has now ended, I will use legitimate interest as my lawful basis for holding and using your personal information.
If you are currently having therapy or if you are in contact with me to consider therapy, I will process your personal data where it is necessary for the performance of our contract.
The GDPR also makes sure I look after any personal information that you may disclose to me appropriately. This type of information is called ‘special category personal information’. The lawful basis for me processing any special categories of personal information is that it is for the provision of health treatment (in this case counselling) and necessary for a contract with a health professional (in this case a contract between me and you).
How I Use Your Information
Initial Contact –
When you contact me with an enquiry about my counselling services, I will collect information to help me satisfy your enquiry. This will include your name, date of birth and contact details. Alternatively a professional working with you, or a parent or trusted individual, may give me your details when making an enquiry on your behalf.
While You Are Accessing Counselling –
Rest assured that everything you discuss with me is confidential. That confidentiality will only be broken if you or someone else is at risk of being harmed, and I would always try to discuss this with you first, unless there are safeguarding issues that prevent this. The Police can request limited access to counselling notes under specific circumstances, which are explained here – New rules on police requesting counselling notes come into force – GOV.UK
I will keep a record of your personal details to help the counselling services run smoothly. These details are kept securely in a locked area and are not shared with any third party. As are brief notes of each session.
After Counselling Has Ended –
After counselling has ended your records will be kept for 5 years from the end of our contract (or 5 years from your 18th birthday if counselling ends before you are 18). After that they will then be securely destroyed. If you want me to delete your information sooner than this then please tell me.
Your Rights
I try to be as open as I can be in terms of giving people access to their personal information. You have a right to ask me to delete your personal information, to limit how I use your personal information, or to stop processing your personal information. You also have a right to ask for a copy of any information that I hold about you and to object to the use of your personal information in some circumstances. You can read more about your rights at ico.org.uk/your-data-matters
You can ask me at any time to correct any mistakes there may be in the information I hold about you.
To make a request for any personal information I may hold about you, please put the request in writing to me via email – jodaviescounsellor@gmail.com
Data Protection Complaints
If you have a concern about how I handle your personal information I want to hear from you.
How To Raise A Concern –
You can contact me by email or letter, my contact details are above. Please describe your concern as clearly as you can and include any relevant dates or details.
What Happens Next –
I will acknowledge your complaint within 30 days of receiving it. I will then look into your concern and respond to you without undue delay.
If You Remain Dissatisfied –
If you are not satisfied with my response, you have the right to make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by ringing 0303 123 1113.